We have about 21,000 customers with private overhead electric lines (POELs).
Private overhead electric lines can be a combination of privately owned poles and lines, or just a span of line that is privately owned. These are generally for rural properties and their various buildings, such as sheds.
If a customer has requested a power connection that requires a private overhead line, it is the customer’s responsibility to make sure their POEL remains in a safe working condition. CitiPower and Powercor will inspect the private poles that support the POELs every two-and-a-half years to make sure they’re in good operating condition. We also inspect the POELs not supported by private poles every two-and-a-half years in hazardous bushfire risk areas, and every five years in low bushfire risk areas.
If we identify a problem, we’ll issue a defect notice on the POEL which requires the customer to ensure the fault is fixed by a specified date.
A Registered Electrical Contractor is the only person who can carry out any work on a POEL. Similarly, if a customer needs to prune around a POEL, we recommend a qualified contractor is engaged.
The following forms can be used to declare compliance around vegetation management:
Putting your private overhead electric line underground
Undergrounding private powerlines is mandatory if:
- More than 20 per cent of your line’s poles or wires need to be repaired or replaced, and
- The line is located in a Hazardous Bushfire Risk Area, as determined by the Country Fire Authority.
If your line is to be placed underground, your Registered Electrical Contractor will need to establish a new point of supply in consultation with CitiPower or Powercor. A new point of supply may also require an underground service pit.
To request a new point of supply, please submit an application via mySupply or if you’d like to speak to our Customer Requests Team, please call 1800 771 434 during business hours.
